Candidate for
Member, Democratic Party Party County Central Committee; County of San Diego; State Assembly District 76

When I was first elected to the California State Assembly in 2004, the 76th Assembly district had the 4th highest district voter turnout in California. Unfortunately, we have not achieved that ranking in recent elections.

I have previously served on the San Diego County Central Committee and on the Executive Board. I believe that voter turnout reflects the most important and basic responsibility of citizens in a democratic society: to participate in the process of choosing elected leaders and choosing future policies.

California's voters often face difficult choices and complicated ballots, and choose not only between candidates, but between complex voter initiatives that have long term impacts on local and state budgets.

Many ballot measures will ultimately impact elected official's ability to balance their budget, and provide funding for public safety, schools, health/social services needs and other essential programs.

With so much riding on the outcomes of these votes, both eligible potential and currently registered voters need to be contacted, involved and committed to participate in each and every election. An important role of the County Democratic Party is to increase informed voter participation through outreach and educational programs.

Young voters, newly naturalized citizens and voters from under-represented communities need to be contacted, registered, and educated about their responsibilities on election day. And men and women who show promise and interest in serving in elected office need to be identified and encouraged to run for office to build up a good "farm team" of future elected officials for our region.

As a member of the San Diego County Democratic Central Committee, I will work to ensure that on future election days, San Diego will once again rank in the top 5 of the state's highest voter turnouts, and that we have a diverse and thriving leadership training program in place for the leaders our city and state need in the years ahead.